Windows Server 2016 is the cloud-ready operating system that delivers new layers of security and Azure-inspired innovation for the applications and infrastructure that power your business.

Built-in Security Windows Server 2016 gives you the power to prevent attacks and detect suspicious activity with new features to control privileged access, protect virtual machines and harden the platform against emerging threats.

Software-defined Infrastructure Windows Server 2016 delivers a more flexible and cost-efficient operating system for your datacenter, using software-defined compute, storage and network virtualization features inspired by Azure.

Cloud-ready Application Platform Windows Server 2016 delivers new ways to deploy and run both existing and cloud-native applications – whether on-premises or in Microsoft Azure – using new capabilities such as Windows containers and the lightweight Nano Server installation option.

What's New in Microsoft Windows Server 2016

Windows Server 2016 brings much anticipated innovation for small business through to the world's largest cloud datacenters. Security, Efficiency and Innovation—Windows Server 2016 is a cloud-ready operating system that supports your current workloads while introducing new technologies that make it easy to transition to cloud computing when you are ready.

Built-in containers

Cost-efficient storage

Innovative networking

Software-defined networking to automate with cloud-like efficiency.

Strengthen your security—starting at the operating system

Help prevent malicious attacks and detect suspicious activity where it matters: your operating system and workloads. Rely on security features built into Windows Server 2016 to control privileged access, protect virtual machines, and harden the platform against emerging threats.

Be more efficient with a software-defined datacenter

Bring flexibility and control to your datacenter while lowering costs with software-defined compute, storage, and networking. Run your datacenter with an automated and resilient operating system, and access many of the same cloud-efficient features found in Microsoft Azure datacenters.

Innovate faster with cloud-ready application workloads

Securely deploy and run your existing applications on Windows Server 2016 to transform them into new cloud-native models. Help developers to innovate and create on-premises and cloud applications using the latest technology—containers, microservices, and Nano Server.

Microsoft Windows Server 2016 LICENSING MODEL

Microsoft Windows Server 2016 licensing is now CPU Core based (Processor based for Essentials Edition). This change has been made to better reflect use in Virtual and Cloud environments – allowing for more flexible and cost effective licensing at a more granular level.

*CALs are required for every user or device accessing a server.
**Minimum Datacenter and Standard edition pricing is based on licensing a minimum of 16 cores.
Some additional or advanced functionality such as Remote Desktop Services or Active Directory Rights Management Services will continue to require the purchase of an additive CAL.

Microsoft Windows Server 2016 EDITIONS

Windows Server 2016 editions have been streamlined to better support today's changing business requirements. Windows Server 2016 will be released in the following editions:

Edition

Description

Windows Server 2016 Datacenter

For highly virtualized datacenter and cloud environments.

Features exclusive to the Datacenter edition include:

Shielded Virtual Machines

Software-defined networking

Storage Spaces Direct

Storage Replica

Windows Server 2016 Standard

For physical or minimally virtualized environments.

Standard Edition includes:

Rights to two Operating System Environments (OSEs, or virtual machines) or Hyper-V containers

Windows Server 2016 Essentials

For small businesses with up to 25 users and 50 devices. Essentials is a good option for customers using the Foundation edition, which is not available for Windows Server 2016

Windows Server 2016 MultiPoint Premium Server

Enables multiple users to access one computer; available only for academic licensing.*

* Corporate customers can use the Windows MultiPoint Premium Server role that will be available in Standard and Datacenter editions. Windows Server CALs and RDS CALs are required for MultiPoint Server

Windows Storage Server 2016

For dedicated OEM storage solutions. Available in Standard and Workgroup editions through the OEM channel only.

Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2016

Free hypervisor download. Licensing derived from

NOTE: Some additional or advanced functionality such as Remote Desktop Services or Active Directory Rights Management Services will continue to require the purchase of an additive CAL.

Small-footprint, headless operating system removes the desktop UI from the server and runs only required components.

• Includes limited local graphical tools such as Task Manager and PowerShell for local or remote management. • Does not include MMC or Server Manager. • Use with Long Term Servicing Branch (LTSB).

Nano Server

Extremely small, headless operating system ideal for reducing your datacenter footprint or running applications that use containers and microservices.

• Manage remotely, via PowerShell or the web-based Server management tools, or use existing remote management tools such as MMC or System Center. • Requires Software Assurance and Current Branch for Business servicing model.

Server with Desktop Experience (previously known as Server with a GUI)

Provides user experience for those who need to run an app that requires a local user interface or for a Remote Desktop Services Host.

• Experience a full Windows client shell and experience, consistent with Windows 10. • Use with Microsoft Management Console (MMC) and Server management tools available locally on the server. • Use with Long Term Servicing Branch (LTSB).

Microsoft Windows Server – COMPARE VERSIONS

Compare Microsoft Windows Server 2016 with previous versions to see what's new or changed.

If you're migrating from Windows Server 2012R2 or older there are significant new features to navigate. Windows Server 2016 delivers new layers of security and Azure-inspired innovation for the applications and infrastructure that power your business. Increased security reduce business risk with multiple layers of protection built into the operating system. Save money and gain flexibility with software-defined datacentre technologies inspired by Microsoft Azure.

The following documents provide a comparison between Windows Server 2016 and the previous versions – 2012R2 and 2008R2.